Police Fall academy class

Now accepting applications for the Fall 2026 academy class

Examination Date

ENTRY LEVEL ASSESSMENT JANUARY 2026 Specific dates, times and location TBA
* Certified candidates will be sent an email containing specific exam details at a later date. PHYSICAL FITNESS ASSESSMENT Specific dates, times and location TBA Civil Service will administer a pre‑entrance Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA) as required by the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission. This mandatory assessment requires all prospective candidates to successfully pass the PFA before the academy start date.

Each candidate will be scheduled for the PFA after they have successfully passed the background investigation and polygraph. An instructional video which outlines and provides demonstrations for each event on the PFA can be found on the OPOTC website:  to view a Physical Fitness demonstration video The PFA is a Pass/Fail performance assessment. All candidates will be expected to meet the physical capability standards for each event, at time of testing, to remain in the selection process.

A score below the standard on any single event will be considered a failing score and the candidate will be removed from the selection process. Candidates will be required to pass three components of the Cooper Fitness Standard at or above the 15th percentile within prescribed times for your age and gender. Sit‑Up (1 Minute)-The total number of correct sit‑ups completed in one (1) minute will be counted.

Age: 20‑29 30‑39 40‑49 50‑59 60‑69 Male - Number of Sit‑Ups to be Completed:
Female - Number of Sit‑Ups to be Completed: 23 18 13 7 2 Full Body Push‑Up (1 Minute)-The total number of correct push‑ups completed in one (1) minute will be counted. Age: 20‑29 30‑39 40‑49 50‑59 60‑69 Male - Number of Push‑Ups to be Completed: 19 15 10 7 5 Female - Number of Push‑Ups to be Completed: 9 7 5 4 1 1.5 Mile Run (timed) - This event consists of running or walking as fast as possible the distance of 1.5 miles in the time allotted for your age and gender group.

Age: 20‑29 30‑39 40‑49 50‑59 60‑69 Male - Maximum time to complete 1.5 Mile Run: 14:34 15:13 15:58 17:38 20:12 Female - Maximum time to complete 1.5 Mile Run: 17:49 18:37 19:32 21:31 23:32

Candidates are assigned to the Dayton Police Academy to complete a classroom curriculum and physical skills development in firearms proficiency, defensive tactics, physical fitness, driving, and other related skills required by the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission, in preparation for appointment to Police Officer.

Must be a high school graduate or possess a G.E.D.

Must meet all of the following age requirements:
Must be 20 years old in order to take the entry‑level assessment. Must be 21 years old on or before the day of completion of the Dayton Police Academy. Applicants must not have reached their 69th birthday by date of appointment to Police Officer.

Must possess a valid driver’s license at time of appointment and maintain thereafter as a term and condition of continued employment.

A candidate who achieves a passing grade on the Police Recruit entry‑level assessment is entitled to a maximum of 5 preference points as set forth below:
For Promotional AND Open Competitive candidates: the candidate, prior to the date of the entry‑level assessment, has been honorably discharged from service with any branch of the United States military. To obtain credit, a non‑returnable copy of the DD214 or certificate of service (indicating honorable discharge) MUST be submitted at the time of the entry‑level assessment; OR For City of Dayton Open Competitive candidates ONLY: the candidate is employed by the City of Dayton but does not meet the qualification outlined above for promotional status.

Must have satisfactorily completed 6 months of full‑time employment as documented by City performance evaluations.

Must be eligible to be employed in the United States.

Must be of good moral character and be able to pass an extensive background investigation including a polygraph test. Persons convicted of a felony are not eligible…